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The Church regards Lent as a highly significant period for preparing oneself for the Pascal mystery. Christians are encouraged to observe sacrifice and fasting during this time. The Seminary Community undertook various initiatives to derive spiritual benefits from Lent.

The Seminary’s daily program was dedicated to prayer, with special attention given to Mid Day prayer, the Via Crucis, and the Via Matris. On Wednesdays and Fridays, the community skipped lunch to exercise fasting. On Fridays, a lengthy adoration took place after dinner, which included a reflection by the rector and the adoration of the Cross. During daily mass, Seminary formators shared a reflection on the day’s Liturgy of the Word.

On Thursday 30th March, the community prayed the Via Crucis and celebrated mass on the iconic Ta’ Għammar hill. The Liturgical and Missionary Group organized a charity collection for Gozo’s secondary schools and the community itself to help the Missionary Fr Mario Curmi in Guatemala build a football ground for the children of his parish. This was done in collaboration with Encounter Guatemala, who will visit Fr Mario this Summer. A penitential celebration was held on Monday 27th March, and a fraternal correction was held at the Manresa Retreat House on Wednesday 29th March.

On Sunday 2nd April, the Community began its yearly spiritual retreat during the first days of Holy Week, led by Fr Kevin Schembri. In the meantime, seminarians Matthew Borg and Franklin Micallef had their ordination retreat led by Fr Christopher Caruana O.P. at the Fransiskan Community in Rabat, Malta. The Community will return to the Seminary on Monday 17th April, after having a week of holidays.

Nine students attending the diocesan vocations group aged between sixteen and eighteen years attended a Live-In held at our seminary between Wednesday 30 November to Saturday 3 December. During these days, they could explore and experience life within the Seminary by attending with the seminarians during prayer, pastoral experience, and recreational moments.

On Saturday, 12th November 2022, the Seminary hosted the traditional Saint Martin’s Dinner.  This dinner is the principal fundraising activity in aid of the Seminary and used to be hosted annually before the Covid-19 pandemic. After an absence of two years, this dinner was held at the Seminary Hall. Our whole-hearted thanks goes to the members of the Community of the Franciscan Sisters of the acred Heart of Jesus, present at the Seminary.  The nuns prepare the dinner with the help of many volunteers.  We would also like to thank the various shops and establishments for the gifts and gift vouchers they offered as prizes for the raffle held during the said dinner.  Finally, we would like to thank all those who attended the dinner.  It was an enjoyable evening for our guests who are always ready to give a helping hand to the Seminary.  

The 4th of November 2022 marks the 156th anniversary of the inauguration of our Seminary. During all these years this building has housed many young men who answered the call of the Father and accepted to follow Him. On this day we pray God to continue blessing our diocese with more holy vocations and to help all the priests who have left this Seminary to continue with their mission of love. We also pray for the many benefactors that throughout the years have sustained our Seminary.

During the last week, the Liturgical and Missionary Group organised various activities in view of the World Mission Day celebrated on Sunday 23rd October 2022. The theme of this week was “witness of the Word” which was inspired by the from the diocesan pastoral plan. 

This Mission Week started on Monday 17th October 2022. On this day, the community prayed for Bishop Giovanni Cefai Mssp, a Gozitan missionary in Peru.

On Tuesday 18th October, the community prayed for Fr Anton Grech, a Gozitan missionary in Guatemala and seminarian Fabio Cini who is doing his intermediate year with Fr Anton. The seminarians went to the Minor Seminary during the assembly to speak with the Form 3 students how the effect the word of God makes a diffence in the life of a missionary. In the evening, Deacon Matthew Bajada led an Eucharistic adoration with a missionary theme. 

On Wednesday 19th October, the Seminary community prayed for Fr Fr Raymond Portelli, a Gozitan missionary in Peru. 

On Thursday 20th October, the Seminary community welcomed Fr Emanuel Cutajar to celebrate mass. Fr Emanuel was a missionary in Albania. During the homily, Fr Emanuel shared with the seminarians some of his experience in Albania. Afterwards the seminarians went to the Minor Seminary during the assembly to speak with the Forms 4 and 5 students how the effect the word of God makes a diffence in the life of a missionary. In the evening the community saw the film “of Gods and Man”.

On Friday 22nd October, the Seminary community prayed for Bishop Joe Bonello, a Gozitan missionary in Honduras. Afterwards the seminarians went to the Minor Seminary during the assembly to speak with the Forms 2 and 2 students how the effect the word of God makes a diffence in the life of a missionary. In the evening, the community had the opportunity to make a vide call with Bishop Joe Bonello in this call, Bishop Bonello shared his experience in Honduras, starting from how he ended in Honduras, together with the everyday experience. Each member of the community had the opportunity to ask him questions.

On Saturday 22rd October, the Seminary community prayed for Fr Victor Zammit, a Gozitan missionary in Peru.

Yesterday, 10th October 2021, Jamie Buttigieg, from the parish of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, in Nadur, and Jeremy Scicluna, from the parish of of the Cathedral of the Assumption of Our Lady in Victoria, started their Propaedeutic Year experience in our Seminary. We welcome them among us with joy and pray for them in the beginning of their journey.

The summer holidays are over and the Seminary opened its doors again to welcome the Seminary community for a new year of formation. Although summer is a time of relaxation, the community made sure to meet once in the middle of summer for a half-day retreat. This was led by the Spiritual Director  Fr Toni Calleja S.J., and was held at Manresa Retreat House in Victoria.

On Monday 19th September, Rector Can Richard N. Farrugia led the celebration of the Liturgy of Hours with the participation of the seminarians. After the Liturgy of Hours the seminarians shared their personal summer experience. Afterwards the community started a silent retreat together with the community of Maltese seminarians which lasted till Saturday 24th September. The Bishop of Gozo, Msgr. Anthony Teuma led the retreat.

On Tuesday 27th September life at the Seminary came in tune with its day-to-day routine. The official academic year 2022-2023 started on Friday 7th October with a meeting for the academic staff and the celebration of the Mass. This was led by the Bishop of Gozo Msgr Anton Teuma. Formators, lecturers, sisters, relatives of the seminarians, and Aħwa Ħbieb tas-Seminarju participated in this celebration which was held in the Seminary chapel. At the end of the mass the Veni Creator was prayed as an invocation to the Holy Spirit in the beginning of this new formative year. Afterwards guests were welcomed for refreshments at the newly refurbished Seminary Refectory.